As professional photographers, many spent decades chasing light, meeting deadlines, and crafting images for clients. But we may have set down our cameras somewhere once the assignments stopped coming. I’ve noticed a trend among many of my friends, particularly those who have retired or slowed their workload—they’ve lost their sense of purpose, and with that, some of the joy that photography once brought them.
But recently, I’ve seen a beautiful shift.
A few of my friends have found their way behind the lens—not for clients but for themselves. One of the most inspiring examples is Billy Weeks. Billy lives on the edge of the national forest in Ringgold, Georgia. Many mornings, he walks through those woods with his camera in hand. There is no pressure, no client brief, just the natural world and the simple act of observing it. He’s not chasing deadlines—he’s chasing the joy of seeing.
Following Billy’s example, several friends have been dusting off or upgrading their gear. My friend Gibbs Frazeur is one of them. He recently upgraded his camera and lenses, not for work, but for the pleasure of spending time outdoors, capturing the quiet beauty around him. Even more meaningful, he’s been sharing these outings with one of his sons. It’s become more than photography—connection, purpose, and presence.
I’ve found joy in photographing nature right in my backyard. Sometimes I’ll venture out to explore, but often, it’s as simple as sitting still with my camera and waiting for the light to change or a bird to land nearby.
The beauty of this rediscovery is that it doesn’t have to be about nature. It can be whatever brings you joy—urban textures, interesting people, forgotten places, abstract light. The subject doesn’t matter nearly as much as the spirit in which you approach it.
Photography gave us a way to see the world—and for many of us, it gave us a calling. Just because we may not be shooting for clients anymore doesn’t mean that calling is gone. Maybe now is the perfect time to photograph just for the love of it, to rediscover the spark, to fall in love with the click of the shutter all over again.
So here’s your invitation: Pick up your camera again. Take it for a walk. Explore. Capture what delights you. Not for anyone else—for you.
You might be surprised what you find.